Issue 301 – Aug/Sept 2021
Features
-
All About Garage Doors
Buyers have a wide range of options for architectural style, material, and price.
-
Footing Retrofit in a Day
Using helical piers to add footings to an old house is faster, less disruptive, and comparable in cost to excavating and pouring concrete.
-
Must-Have Concrete Tools
Keep all of these tools on hand when working on any slab, foundation wall, patio, or other concrete project for better, faster results.
-
Framing an Open-Plan Saltbox
Structural stability can be a problem when the load-bearing partition is removed.
-
Energy-Smart by Design
Building orientation, passive-solar design, and a radiant-barrier roof are key to energy efficiency in a hot-humid climate.
-
Fine Homebuilding Issue #301 Online Highlights
Find online articles and videos on deck framing, durable roof assemblies, new insulation materials, and more.
Tips & Techniques
-
Stripped-Screw FixChopsticks work just as well as dowel scraps for filling stripped and oversized screw holes.
-
How to Stop a Drill Bit From Slipping on TileGet a diamond drill bit started on porcelain tile using plexiglass and a twist bit.
-
Face Shield and Hearing ProtectionZip ties secure earmuffs to a face shield for combination eye and ear protection you can make at home.
-
DIY Dump TruckUse plywood resting on tennis balls to slide trash and other loads out of a truck bed.
-
Simple Way to Raise New WallsTwo builders framing a wall on the floor need to get a lift before placing it—a couple of blocks makes it easy to get the right handholds.
Know the Code
Tools & Gear
-
Smart, Tough WorklightsThree industrial worklights by Unilite offer varying levels of water, dust, and impact protection.
-
Deburring ToolAttach this chamfering tool to a power drill and easily shave down the outer edges of a bolt, pipe, or rod.
-
Superior SanderGood dust collection and a comfortable weight and balance make this Festool random-orbital sander worth its hefty pricetag.
-
Book Review: BuilderIn Mark Q. Kerson's book of interviews, a collection of 28 builders share valuable building and life experiences.
HOUSES by Design
-
Modern Remodel in a Traditional NeighborhoodThis bungalow renovation fulfilled the requirements of its historic district while incorporating a decidedly modern perspective.
-
Gazebo Grows UpA freestanding, two-level gazebo addition complements the architecture and scale of this Cape Cod home.
-
Small Prefab With a Big ImpactThis predesigned solution for an accessory dwelling unit has a contemporary and spacious interior that belies its small size.
Spec
-
Refrigerators Can Look Good, TooBespoke refrigerators from Samsung cater to your design aesthetic with flexible colors, materials, and door combinations.
-
Modular Modern Cladding SystemTerracade ceramic tiles offer a host of benefits over traditional siding materials, including low maintenance, fire protection, and an integral rainscreen assembly.
-
Ready-Made Stainless Shower PanThe Stainless Steel Shower Base from Infinity Drain removes the need for a rubber membrane to achieve a watertight shower floor.
-
Mess-Free Seal for Plumbing PenetrationsInnerlynx EPDM mechanical seals come in nearly any size and make it easy to waterproof where pipes pass through concrete foundations.
